Text Set: Books Featuring International Grandparents and Grandchildren

In November I presented at NCTE in a session called "Reading Another Culture: Teaching Diversity without Reinforcing Stereotypes.

As part of that session, I have put together various text sets of picture books that teachers and parents can use to help introduce children to diverse characters and children around the world. The complete handouts from the talk are available here.

This is the fifth in a series of posts that provides more details about each of the example text sets. Click on any of the previous posts below:

• Books that celebrate the diversity of families and family structures
• Books from a variety of people and countries in Africa
• Alternate perspectives on exploration
• Diverse grandparent-grandchildren books set in the US

International Books Featuring Grandparents

India: Monsoon Afternoon (2008) by Kashmira Sheth and illustrated by Yoshiko Jaeggi. This endearing picture book explores the first day of monsoon season as told through the eyes of the younger brother and his adventures with his Dadaji (grandfather). Great connections to the past and the future as well.

India: My Dadima Wears a Sari (2007) by Kashmira Sheth and illustrated by Yoshiko Jaeggi. Indian-American granddaughter Rupa does not understand why her Dadima (grandmother) always chooses to wear a sari, but through the story she learns more about the saris and her Dadima. The author's note includes her own stories of wearing saris as a child and adult and includes step-by-step directions for wrapping your own sari.

Argentina: Abuelo (2014) by Arthur Dorros and illustrated by Raúl Colón. This lovely modern tale tells the story of a young boy who rides out into the Pampas of South America with his Abuelo (grandfather). Then when the boy and his family move to the big city, he is able to apply his abuelo's lessons and still feel connected. Great use of Spanish phrases throughout the story as well, and Raúl Colón's illustrations really bring the Pampas to light.

Guatemala: Abuela's Weave (1993) by Omar S. Castañeda and illustrated by Enrique O. Sanchez. In this story, a young Guatemalan girl is nervous about taking her grandmother's weavings to the big market to sell them, but she finds success when people are impressed by the quality of the artistry.

Mexico: Playing Lotería / El juego de la lotería (2005), illustrated by Jill Arena. Our young narrator is nervous to stay alone with his abuela in Mexico, as he doesn't know very much Spanish. But when she takes him to la feria and shows him her lotería stand, he finds his hook for learning more Spanish - and for teaching abuela some English. The author's note includes additional information about the game, also known as Mexican bingo. This is a cute story about connecting to a grandparent who speaks another language. (Bilingual English and Spanish.)

China: Noodle Magic (2014) by Roseanne Greenfield Thong and illustrated by Meilo So. This story, in the style of a Chinese folktale, features young Mei who learns, with her Grandpa Tu's encouragement, that true magic really does come from within. Meilo So's expression-filled style really shines in the noodle-centric illustrations, especially when Mei and Grandpa Tu are working together to slap, kneed, stretch, and pull the dough.

 

Dominica: Look Back (2014) by Trish Cooke and illustrated by Caroline Binch. This folktale-style story from the Caribbean island nation of Dominica is told through the frame of Grannie telling a story from her childhood to her grandson Christopher. Her story involves the mysterious, mischievous Ti Bolom. Kids will love the repeated storytelling call-and-response as well as the 'is he / isn't he' discussions about Ti Bolom himself.

Do you have a favorite picture book that features an international grandparent-grandchild relationship? Please share in the comments below! For more text sets on diverse topics, please click here.

Text Set: Books Featuring Diverse US Grandparents and Grandchildren

In November I presented at NCTE in a session called "Reading Another Culture: Teaching Diversity without Reinforcing Stereotypes.

As part of that session, I have put together various text sets of picture books that teachers and parents can use to help introduce children to diverse characters and children around the world. The complete handouts from the talk are available here.

This is the fourth in a series of posts that provides more details about each of the example text sets. Click on any of the previous posts below:

• Books that celebrate the diversity of families and family structures
• Books from a variety of people and countries in Africa
• Alternate perspectives on exploration

Books Featuring Diverse Grandparents

US Grandchildren Visiting Grandparents in Different Countries

Sitti's Secrets (1997) by Naomi Shihab Nye and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. This story about an American girl who travels to Palestine to visit her Sitti (grandmother) remains as relevant today as when it was published in 1997. Mona does not speak Arabic, but between her father's translations and the language of gestures and smiles, she builds her relationship with her grandmother. The ongoing conflicts in this region are addressed only obliquely when Mona writes her letter to the President urging him to find a peaceful solution.

Time to Pray (2010) by Maha Addasi, translated by Nuha Albitar, and illustrated by Ned Gannon. In this tender bilingual book, young Yasmin is visiting her grandmother in a Muslim country. Fascinated by the calls of the muezzin, she asks her grandmother to teach her to pray. When she returns home (presumably to America), she finds a special gift from her grandmother to remind her about her prayers. A note at the end of the book describes the five times for prayer and the reasons behind them.

US Grandchild Whose Grandparents Immigrated from a Different Country

Abuela (1991) by Arthur Dorros. This fanciful picture book is told in the imaginative voice of the young narrator, Rosalba. Out on the town with her grandmother or Abuela, the girl imagines all the places they could see if they could fly. One stop includes a flight over the Statue of Liberty and references to her grandmother's own immigration to the United States from a Spanish-speaking country. The book also weaves in many Spanish phrases and expressions.

A Picnic in October (1999) by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. In this modern-day story, a young boy and his family take a trip to the Statue of Liberty to celebrate her birthday (though the story is set up to make you believe that they are celebrating his Italian grandmother's birthday). The boy doesn't understand the importance or the symbolism until later when he witnesses a family of new immigrants viewing the statue.

The Lotus Seed (1993) by Sherry Garland and illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi. This sparse picture book tells the story of the narrator's grandmother and her flight from Vietnam and her resettlement in America (implied). When the narrator's little brother steals grandmother's special lotus seed and tries to plant it, the family learns a lesson about history and perseverance.

The Matchbox Diary (2013) by Paul Fleischmann and illustrated by the unparalled Bagram Ibatoulline. This wonderful narrative weaves together the modern interaction between the grandfather and his young granddaughter with the stories that he tells her about his immigration to the United States from Italy via Ellis Island. The illustrations are incredible, and the story contains a lot of wonderful historical detail. It might make any reader want to start his/her own "matchbox diary."

Just a Minute: a trickster tale and counting book (2003) by Yuyi Morales (a Pura Belpré Award winner). This one is less of a relationship story, but it is highly entertaining. In this inventive trickster tale, Grandma Beetle is surprised to find the skeleton Señor Calavera beckoning her to follow. Imposing on his politeness, Grandma Beetle continues with an escalating list of tasks (with numbers in both English and Spanish). Kids will delight in this outrageous outsmarting of Death.

The Best Winds (2006) by Laura E. Williams and illustrated by Eujin Kim Neilan. Jinho is embarrassed after Grandfather moves in, with his traditional hanboks and other Korean customs. The two begin spending more time together, and Grandfather teachers Jinho how to make bangpae-yeon, a shield kite. Yet when Grandfather starts telling stories about making kites from his own grandfather, Jinho tunes out. I appreciated that this is a grandparent-grandchild story that is not all warm fuzzies and includes an initial skeptical reaction.

A Morning with Grandpa (2016) by Silvia Liu and illustrated by Christina Forshay. In the first half of the story, Gong Gong (grandfather) teaches young Mei Mei about tai chi, and in the second half, she teaches him about yoga. The illustrations, combined with the details in the back, help readers try out both for themselves. There are some cute contrasts between the two, as well as solid grandparent-grandchild moments, but I felt like the story itself left the reader hanging.

Mango, Abuela, and Me (2015) by Meg Medina and illustrated by Angela Dominguez [a Pura Belpre Honor Book for both writing and illustrations]. Also available in Spanish. In this charming story, Mia's abuela comes to live with the family (and share her room), but Abuela doesn't speak much English and Mia doesn't speak much Spanish. How can they communicate about all the important things they need to share? Mia takes some tips from her own teacher, as they both to be happy together.

African-American Grandparent-Grandchildren Books

The Grandad Tree (2000) by Trish Cooke and illustrated by Sharon Wilson. This lovely, heartwarming story connects the a child's love and memories of their grandad to the apple tree that marks their times together. Only partway through the story do the narrators reveal that their grandad has died and that they planted a new tree in his honor. This is a gentle story to share with children experiencing loss.

Poems in the Attic (2015) by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon. This is a story in poems of a story about poems. The seven-year old narrator (and poet) finds a collection of her mother's poems in the attic of her grandmother's house. Each two-page spread shares a poem written by the narrator connected to a poem written by her mother. There is great interplay between the two sets of poems as we learn more about the narrator through her reflections on her own life as well as on her mother's poems.

Grandma in Blue with Red Hat (2015) by Scott Menchin and illustrated by Harry Bliss. This is a fun new book to get kids talking about art. One of my students decided to read this book out loud to me, and it was fun to experience his reactions (especially his escalating giggles as he realized the boy was about the apply his definition of art ... to his grandma!). So fun!

Don't Call me Grandma (2016) by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon. Our narrator's great-grandmother Nell is a strong, independent woman who does not appreciate being referred to by the truncated sobriquet of "Grandma." This and her many other quirks are shared by the young narrator who shows us the love and life experience behind her great-grandmother's prickly exterior. I love how this is a book that celebrates the complexities of (great-)grandparent / grandchild relationships in a way that is both charming and true-to-life.

The Baby on the Way (2005) by Karen English. This book is Sean Qualls's first picture book for children, and it is a tender story of a grandmother and grandson. The grandmother relates the story of her own birth, and the illustrations alternate between the present day and the events being narrated in the story. The story concludes as a bit of a circular story, as the boy asks about his own birth story and the grandmother prepares to tell it. Be prepared when sharing this book to immediately follow it up with your own telling of your listener's birth story.

Do you have a favorite picture book that features a diverse grandparent-grandchild relationship? Please share in the comments below!

Next week's post shares my favorite books set in other countries that feature grandparents and grandchildren. For more text sets on diverse topics, please click here.

Text Set: Rethinking Explorers

Last week I presented at NCTE in a session called "Reading Another Culture: Teaching Diversity without Reinforcing Stereotypes.

As part of that session, I am putting together various text sets of picture books that teachers and parents can use to help introduce children to diverse characters and children around the world. The complete handouts from the talk are available here.

This is the third in a series of posts that provides more details about each of the example text sets. The first post featured books that celebrate the diversity of families and family structures, while the second highlighted books from a variety of people and countries in Africa.

Rethinking Explorers: alternate perspectives and point of view

When I taught fourth grade, once of our units of study was on The Age of Exploration and the discovery and subsequent colonization of the Americas. Most nonfiction books and picture books available on these topics still focus on the explorers and their "great deeds." These two picture books provide different views than the standard explorer narratives.

Encounter (1996) by Jane Yolen and illustrated by David Shannon. This Columbus story is told instead from the point-of-view of a young Taino boy. He has a dream that warns his about arriving strangers, but the chief and other adults ignore his pleas. This story provides a powerful way for kids to think about this historical event from a non-traditional viewpoint.

Lost City: the discovery of Machu Picchu (2003) by Ted Lewin. This book is more subtle but has provided a way to have some very interesting conversations about the concept of discovery.

Lost City tells the true story of Hiram Bingham's efforts to find the lost Inca city of Vilcapampa in 1911 but instead being introduced to Machu Picchu. What I appreciate about this "discovery" story is that the credit is given to local people and local knowledge, and it's a great book for helping kids discuss the idea of "discovering" something some one already knows about.

Notes from a student's reflection
What does Bigham [mean]? I've seen a [terrace] before. I was really really high. Why would he ask people where is the lost city and they knew where the city was? So then it isn't really a lost city. The end was a good ending. Did people live there after?

Do you have a favorite picture book that presents a different viewpoint on explorers or exploration? Please share in the comments below! For more text sets on diverse topics, please click here.

Text Set: Africa is Not a Country

Today (!) I am presenting at a roundtable session at NCTE (G.40 Equity, Social Justice, and Advocacy for Literacy, 211AB). My session is called "Reading Another Culture: Teaching Diversity without Reinforcing Stereotypes," and there are 10 other great presenters as part of the session.

As part of that session, I am putting together various text sets of picture books that teachers and parents can use to help introduce children to diverse characters and children around the world. The complete handouts from the talk will be available here.

This is the second in a series of posts that provides more details about each of the example text sets. The first post featured books that celebrate the diversity of families and family structures.

Africa is Not a Country

Africa is a diverse continent of more than fifty countries, hundreds of millions of people, and thousands of languages, cultures, and people groups. In order for children to understand some of the immensity of variation, it is important to share books and resources from a wide range of countries, environments, and cultural groups. These books are some of my favorites to share and read aloud in my classroom.

Northern Africa

Egypt: The Day of Ahmed's Secret (1990) by Florence Parry Heide and Judith Heide Gilliland, illustrated by Ted Lewin. This powerful story follows a day in the life of Ahmed as he works his rounds delivering butane gas by donkey cart in modern Cairo, Egypt. He is a thoughtful, interesting narrator and makes unique observations about the world around him and his place in it, even connecting back to Egypt's ancient history.

Mauritania: Deep in the Sahara (2013) by Kelly Cunnane and illustrated by Hoda Hadadi. Deep in the Sahara is an immersive picture book told in second person, placing you, the reader, as young Lalla, a Muslim girl living in Mauritania in west Africa. During the course of the book, Lalla explores why she wants to wear the malafa like her mother and relatives.

Second-person, present tense narration is tough to pull off and generally rare in literature, but I think that it works well in this book because most of us readers know as little about the malafa and its importance in African Muslim communities than does Lalla. Through her eyes and through the patterning of the text, we all learn an important lesson. (Read a more detailed analysis here.)

Morocco: Ali, Child of the Desert (1997) by Jonathan London and illustrated by Ted Lewin. This coming-of-age story features young Ali who is thrilled to accompany his father across the Sahara Desert for the first time. When a sandstorm strikes, however, he learns just how dangerous the desert can be - if not for the help of strangers. (I was saddened to learn that this book is now out-of-print, but it is well worth searching for at your library.)

Chad: Rain School (2010) by James Rumford. Rain School highlights some of the struggles that children face in getting an education, as well as the great lengths that people will go through to go to school - even if involves building the school itself! Rain School is a bit of a circular story and opens with the first day of school. As the end-is-the-beginning concludes, it helps students to see the impact and importance of this yearly process and how hard these children work for their education. Powerful stuff. (For a more detailed analysis, click here.)


Western, Central, and Eastern Africa

Burkina Faso: The Red Bicycle: the extraordinary story of one ordinary bicycle (2015) by Jude Isabella and illustrated by Simone Shin. The Red Bicycle is a powerful story of the life of one red bicycle and its multiple reincarnations through donation. The story traces the bicycle from its initial purchase by a young boy in North America (Canada) to a young girl in Africa (Burkina Faso) to a young hospital employee (also in Burkina Faso) and beyond. This is a great story for sharing with kids the power of one person (or one bike) to make a difference.

Ghana: Emmanuel's Dream: the true story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah (2015) by Laurie Ann Thompson and illustrated by Sean Qualls. Emmanuel's Dream is the powerful true story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, a boy who does not let his disability define himself or his character. The book highlights his constant perseverance and determination. In order to learn, he hops to school, two miles each way, and must earns the respect and friendship of his classmates. Emmanuel even learns to ride a bike with only one good leg.

This book is a great story and a great tribute to a young man who is still working to change laws and the minds of people.This book will inspire children to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of those around them too. (Read a more detailed analysis here.)

Kenya: Seeds of Change (2013) by Jen Cullerton Johnson and illustrated by Sonia Lynn Sadler. This is now the fourth picture book biography of Wangari Maathai that I have read, and I think it might be my new favorite. (You can read more about the other biographies in the post Biographies about People and Trees.) These biographies focus on the incredible work on Noble Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai who encouraged others in Kenya to plant trees. I love the bright colors of the illustrations here and the emphasis on telling her life's story.

Southern Africa

South Africa: Happy Birthday, Jamela! (2006) by Niki Daly. I always check out a large collection of books by Niki Daly during our Africa unit, including both his wonderful folktales and his series of Jamela books. This is one I have shared as a read aloud. Jamela is a spunky character who makes creative but impulsive decisions, sometimes with disastrous consequences, but they always work out in the end. She is a very relate-able character for my third graders. (Jamela lives in a big city in South Africa like Niki Daly.)

Zimbabwe: Where Are You Going, Manyoni? (1993) by Catherine Stock. This story follows a young girl on her long walk to school and does a great job of highlighting the many different animals and environments in her part of Zimbabwe.

Do you have a favorite picture book that highlights the diversity of people, languages, and cultures in Africa? Please share in the comments below! For more text sets on diverse topics, please click here.

Text Set: Books that Celebrate Diversity of/within Families

I will be presenting at a roundtable session at next week's NCTE on Saturday morning (G.40 Equity, Social Justice, and Advocacy for Literacy, 211AB). My session is called "Reading Another Culture: Teaching Diversity without Reinforcing Stereotypes," and there are 10 other great presenters as part of the session.

As part of that session, I am putting together various text sets of picture books that teachers and parents can use to help introduce children to diverse characters and children around the world. The complete handouts from the talk will be available here.

This is the first in a series of posts that provides more details about each of the featured text sets. These are books that celebrate diversity of families and family structures, as well as books that feature diverse and/or multicultural families. Upcoming text sets include books to reinforce the idea that Africa is not a country and books that explore alternative points of view on exploration and colonization.

Books that Celebrate Diversity of/within Families

One Family (2015) by George Shannon and Blanca Gómez. This charming counting book is so much more. One is not just one, when it is a pair of shoes or a hand of cards. And one can be any number when it comes to "one family." This picture book is a celebration of families, in all their quirky uniqueness. The illustrated families include grandparents, mixed race couples, twins, single parents, young boys in Sikh turbans, gay couples, and so much more. This would be a great mentor text for a getting-to-know you activity, where each child could illustrate a page representing whatever number describes their "one family."

Stella Brings the Family (2015) by Miriam B. Schiffer and illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown. Stella faces a dilemma: who can she invite to her school's Mother's Day outing when she doesn't have a mother? Papa, Daddy, and her classmates help her realize what really matters in a family and how to celebrate all the types of families there are.

 

My Family Tree and Me (2015) by Dušan Petričić. This is a great concept book on genealogy and the family tree. The book reads from both sides, with one side, front-to-middle, telling the story of the boy's father's family, while the other side, back-to-middle, telling the story of the boy's mother's family. There is also a clever conceit of each pair of parents having a picture hanging up of the previous generation. The text itself is completely generic (with the exception of the fact that the boy has aunts and uncles on both sides) and could be used with kids to put together their own versions. I also appreciate how this book celebrates multiracial and diverse families.

The Case for Loving: the fight for interracial marriage (2015) by Selina Alko and illustrated by Sean Qualls and Selina Alko. This book represents a collaboration between the husband-and-wife team of Selina Alko and Sean Qualls. The story of Richard Loving and Mildred Jeter and their fight for interracial marriage is presented very much from today's point-of-view but also offers children background about how this fight came to be. The author's note draws the natural connection between the history of this fight and the current battle for recognition of same sex marriages and also shares some of the authors' backstory as an interracial couple.

Heather Has Two Mommies (2015 ed.) by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by Laura Cornell. Heather's favorite number is two, and the book uses her love of 2s to structure a story about her life and first day of school. This book is a great one for helping all students understand and embrace the broad range of what the term "family" truly means, and this new updated illustrations make the story more accessible to today's readers.

Children Just Like Me series (1995) by Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley. Children Just Like Me

 is the first book in a growing series of books by husband-and-wife photographers-and-writers Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley. In cooperation with UNICEF, they have traveled around the world interviewing and photographing children and their families. This book features one or two page spreads about individual children from different countries, including information about their hobbies, families, favorite foods, schools, hopes for the future, and much more. My students love learning about the kids and seeing a glimpse of their lives.

The Kindersleys have since branched out and created a whole series of books. Children Just Like Me: Celebrations! features holidays and celebrations around the world, organized seasonally. Again, information about each holiday is shared through the eyes of an individual child. Children Just Like Me: Our Favorite Stories is a collection of folktales from around the world. There are also continent specific versions of the books available, including Children of Europe, Children of Africa and Neighboring Countries, and Children of the Americas.

Everybody Cooks Rice (1991) by Norah Dooley. My favorite first day of school read focuses on the people and cultures in one small neighborhood, highlighting the commonalities in the rice-based meals being prepared. There is also some socio-economic diversity highlighted, as the parents work a variety of jobs including long hours. This is part of a series of similarly-themed books by the author.

Do you have a favorite book that features a diversity of families? Please share in the comments below! For more text sets on diverse topics, please click here.

NCTE Presentation: Reading Another Culture: teaching diversity without reinforcing stereotypes

This page is the centralized location for handouts and resources related to my NCTE session, "Reading Another Culture: Teaching Diversity without Reinforcing Stereotypes," (G.40 Equity, Social Justice, and Advocacy for Literacy, 211AB).

• Click here to view PowerPoint slides from the presentation.
• Click here to view the Getting to Know You question sheet.
• Click here to view the Postcard Discussion sheet.
• Click here to view the book list as a handout.

Reading Another Culture: book list categories

Scroll on for the book lists or click on any of the category titles to link to another post with more detailed information about the books, including book covers and descriptions.

• Books about modern immigrants and refugees
• Books that celebrate diversity of/within families
• Book to teach the idea that Africa is not just a country
• Books featuring diverse grandparents:
• International grandparents and grandchildren
• Diverse grandparents and grandchildren within the US
• Rethinking ancient explorers
• Picture book biographies about people who cared for trees
• Books about the power of girls and schools
• Around the world in a single book 
• Around the World in a Single Book, part 1: children
• Around the World in a Single Book, part 2: cultures
• Around the World in a Single Book, part 3: languages and schools
• Cinderella stories from around the world
• Cinderella Stories from the Old World
• Cinderella Stories from the Americas
• Fractured Cinderella Stories
• Teaching with Cinderella Stories

Books about Modern Immigrants and Refugees

The recent refugee crisis has brought the issues of immigration to the forefront. These picture books help introduce children to modern-day immigrant and refugee children in age-appropriate ways. (Books with a * deal directly with refugees and/or refugee camps.)

• I'm New Here (2015) by Anne Sibley O'Brien
• Four Feet, Two Sandals* (2007) by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed
• My Name is Sangoel* (2009) by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed and illustrated by Catherine Stock
• The Best Eid Ever* (2007) by Asma Mobin-Uddin and illustrated by Laura Jacobsen.
• My Name is Bilal (2005) by Asma Mobin-Uddin and illustrated by Barbara Kiwak
• The Name Jar (2001) by Yangsook Choi
• One Green Apple (2006) by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Ted Lewin
• Playing War (2005) by Kathy Beckwith and illustrated by Lea Lyon
• Lights on the River (1994) by Jane Resh Thomas and illustrated by Michael Dooling
• Dia's Story Cloth (1996) by Dia Cha and stitched by Chue Cha and Nhia Thoa Cha
• The Lotus Seed (1993) by Sherry Garland and illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi

Click here to read the full post for Books about Modern Immigrants and Immigration (includes cover images and descriptions).

Books that Celebrate Diversity of/within Families

• One Family (2015) by George Shannon and Blanca Gómez.
• Stella Brings the Family (2015) by Miriam B. Schiffer and illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown.
• My Family Tree and Me (2015) by Dušan Petričić.
• The Case for Loving: the fight for interracial marriage (2015) by Selina Alko and illustrated by Sean Qualls and Selina Alko.
• Children Just Like Me series (1995) by Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley. 
• Everybody Cooks Rice (1991) by Norah Dooley.

Click here to read the full post for Books that Celebrate Diversity of/within Families (includes cover images and descriptions).

Africa is Not a Country

A selection of some of my favorite picture books that feature children from a variety of African countries and cultures.

• Burkina Faso: The Red Bicycle: the extraordinary story of one ordinary bicycle (2015) by Jude Isabella and illustrated by Simone Shin.
• Chad: Rain School (2010) by James Rumford.
• Egypt: The Day of Ahmed's Secret (1990) by Florence Parry Heide and Judith Heide Gilliland, illustrated by Ted Lewin.
• Ghana: Emmanuel's Dream: the true story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah (2015) by Laurie Ann Thompson and illustrated by Sean Qualls.
• Kenya: Seeds of Change (2013) by Jen Cullerton Johnson and illustrated by Sonia Lynn Sadler.
• Mauritania: Deep in the Sahara (2013) by Kelly Cunnane and illustrated by Hoda Hadadi.
• Morocco: Ali, Child of the Desert (1997) by Jonathan London and illustrated by Ted Lewin.
• South Africa: Happy Birthday, Jamela! (2006) by Niki Daly.
• Zimbabwe: Where Are You Going, Manyoni? (1993) by Catherine Stock.

Click here to read the full post for Text Set: Africa is Not a Country (includes cover images and descriptions).

Books Featuring Diverse Grandparents

US Grandchildren Visiting Grandparents in Different Countries

• Sitti's Secrets (1997) by Naomi Shihab Nye and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. 
• Time to Pray (2010) by Maha Addasi, translated by Nuha Albitar, and illustrated by Ned Gannon. 

US Grandchild Whose Grandparents Immigrated from a Different Country

• Abuela (1991) by Arthur Dorros. 
• A Picnic in October (1999) by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter.
• The Lotus Seed (1993) by Sherry Garland and illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi. 
• The Matchbox Diary (2013) by Paul Fleischmann and illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. 
• Just a Minute: a trickster tale and counting book (2003) by Yuyi Morales.
• The Best Winds (2006) by Laura E. Williams and illustrated by Eujin Kim Neilan. 

African-American Grandparent-Grandchildren Books

• The Grandad Tree (2000) by Trish Cooke and illustrated by Sharon Wilson. 
• Poems in the Attic (2015) by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon. 
• Grandma in Blue with Red Hat (2015) by Scott Menchin and illustrated by Harry Bliss. 
• The Baby on the Way (2005) by Karen English. 

Click here to read the full post for Books Featuring Diverse US Grandparents and Grandchildren and Books Featuring International Grandparents and Grandchildren (includes cover images and descriptions).

International Grandparent-Grandchildren Books

• Argentina: Abuelo (2014) by Arthur Dorros and illustrated by Raúl Colón. 
• China: Noodle Magic (2014) by Roseanne Greenfield Thong and illustrated by Meilo So. 
• Dominica: Look Back (2014) by Trish Cooke and illustrated by Caroline Binch.
• India: Monsoon Afternoon (2008) by Kashmira Sheth and illustrated by Yoshiko Jaeggi. 
• India: My Dadima Wears a Sari (2007) by Kashmira Sheth and illustrated by Yoshiko Jaeggi. 

Coming Soon: click here to read the full post for Books Featuring International Grandparents and Grandchildren (includes cover images and descriptions).

Rethinking Explorers: alternate perspectives and points of view

• Columbus: Encounter (1996) by Jane Yolen and illustrated by David Shannon. 
• Lost City: the discovery of Machu Picchu (2003) by Ted Lewin. 

Click here to read the full post for Text Set: Rethinking Explorers (includes cover images and descriptions).

Picture Book Biographies about People who Cared for Trees

Celebrate the international power of caring for the environment through these books.

• Seed by Seed: the legend and legacy of John "Appleseed" Chapman (2012) by Esme Raji Codell and illustrated by Lynne Rae Perkins
• The Tree Lady: the true story of how one tree-loving woman changed a city forever (2013) by H. Joseph Hopkins and illustrated by Jill McElmurry
• Seeds of Change (2013) by Jen Cullerton Johnson and illustrated by Sonia Lynn Sadler 
• Planting the Trees of Kenya (2008) by Claire A. Nivola 
• Wangari's Trees of Peace (2008) by Jeanette Winter
• Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya (2010) by Donna Jo Napoli and illustrated by Kadir Nelson
• The Mangrove Tree: planting trees to feed families (2011) by Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore

Click here to read the full post for Picture Book Biographies of People and Trees (includes cover images and descriptions).

The Power of Girls and Schools: a look through time and place

• China, 1900s. Ruby's Wish (2004) by Shirin Yim Bridges and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. 
• The Great Depression, 1933. The Lucky Star (2008) by Judy Young and illustrated by Chris Ellison. 
• Afghanistan, 1990-2000s. Nasreen's Secret School: a true story from Afghanistan (2009) by Jeanette Winter. 
• Afghanistan, 2000s. Razia's Ray of Hope: one girl's dream of an education (2013) by Elizabeth Suneby and illustrated by Suana Verelst. 
• Pakistan, 2010s. Every Day is Malala Day (2014) by Rosemary McCarney.

Click here to read the full post for The Power of Girls and Schools (includes cover images and descriptions).

Around the World in a Single Book

These are books that do a good job of highlighting a variety of people, languages, cultures, etc from around the world.

Children Around the World

• Children Just Like Me series (1995) by Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley
• Children Just Like Me: Celebrations! (1997) by Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley
• Children Just Like Me: Our Favorite Stories (1997) by Barnabas and Annabel Kindersley
• A Life Like Mine: how children live around the world (2002)
• A School Like Mine: a unique celebration of schools around the world (2007)
• A Faith Like Mine (2005) by Laura Buller
• One World, One Day (2009) by Barbara Kerley 

Click here to read the full post for Around the World in a Single Book, part 1: children (includes cover images and descriptions).

Cultures in General Around the World

• How People Live by DK Publishing 
• People Around the World by Anthony Mason
• If You Lived Here: Houses of the World by Giles Laroche. 
• Material World: a global family portrait by Peter Menzel
• What the World Eats by Peter Menzel (the children's version of Hungry Planet: What the World Eats) 
• Bread, Bread, Bread by Ann Morris, or other books in the series, including Houses and Homes (Around the World); Hats, Hats, Hats; Tools; Loving (Around the World); and Shoes, Shoes, Shoes. 
• Be My Neighbor by Maya Ajmera and John D. Ivanko

Click here to read the full post for Around the World in a Single Book, part 2: cultures (includes cover images and descriptions).

Languages and Schools around the World

• Hello World! Greetings in 42 Languages around the Globe! by Manya Stojic. 
• Animals Speak by Lila Prap. 
• My Librarian is a Camel: how books are brought to children around the world by Margriet Ruurs 
• My School in the Rain Forest: how children attend school around the world also by Margriet Ruurs 
• Off to Class: incredible and unusual schools around the world by Susan Hughes

Click here to read the full post for Around the World in a Single Book, part 3: languages and schools (includes cover images and descriptions).

Cinderella Stories from around the World

Cinderella Stories from Asia

• Yeh-Shen: a Cinderella Story from China retold by Ai-Ling Louie and illustrated by Ed Young. 
• The Korean Cinderella retold by Shirley Climo and illustrated by Ruth Heller
• Pigling: a Cinderella story, a Korean tale retold by Dan Jolley and illustrated by Anne Timmons. 
• Kongi and Potgi: a Cinderella story from Korea retold by Oki S. Han. 
• Anklet for a Princess: a Cinderella story from India by Lila Mehta, adapted by Meredith Brucker, and illustrated by Youshan Tang. 
• Abadeha: the Philippine Cinderella adapted by Myrna J. de la Paz and illustrated by Youshan Tang (Philippines). 
• Tam and Cam: the ancient Vietnamese Cinderella Story retold by Minh Quoc and illustrated by Mai Long (full-color and full-size picture book) and Tam Cam: the Vietnamese Cinderella Story retold by Nguyen Thi Nhuan and Nguyen Thi Hop (paperback sized, line drawings). 
• Angkat: the Cambodian Cinderella retold by Jewell Reinhart Coburn and illustrated by Eddie Flotte. 
• Jouanah: a Hmong Cinderella adapted by Jewell Reinhart Coburn with Tzexa Cherta Lee and illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien. 
• The Gift of the Crocodile: a Cinderella story retold by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Reynold Ruffins (Indonesia). 

Cinderella Stories from Africa and the Middle East

• The Egyptian Cinderella retold by Shirley Climo and illustrated by Ruth Heller. 
• The Persian Cinderella retold by Shirley Climo and illustrated by Robert Florczak. 
• The Golden Sandal: a Middle Eastern Cinderella Story retold by Rebecca Hickox and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand. 
• Cinderella: an Islamic Tale by Fawzia Gilani. 
• Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: an African tale retold by John Steptoe (Caldecott Honor Book). 

Cinderella Stories from Europe

• Cinderella translated by Marcia Brown from the French version by Charles Perrault (Caldecott Award Winner). 
• Cinderella: a Grimm's Fairy Tale by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm and illustrated by Ulrike Haseloff. 
• The Orphan: a Cinderella story from Greece by Anthony Manna and Soula Mitakidou and illustrated by Giselle Potter. 
• The Irish Cinderlad retold by Shirley Climo and illustrated by Loretta Krupinski. 
• Fair, Brown, and Trembling: an Irish Cinderella Story by Jude Daly. 
• The Way Meat Loves Salt: a Cinderella tale from the Jewish tradition retold by Nina Jaffe and illustrated by Louise August. 

Click here to read the full post for Cinderella Stories from the Old World (includes cover images and descriptions).

Cinderella Stories from the Americas

• The Turkey Girl: a Zuni Cinderella story retold by Penny Pollock and illustrated by Ed Young.
• The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin and illustrated by David Shannon (Algonquin). 
• Sootface: an Ojibwa Cinderella retold by Robert D. San Souci and illustrated by Daniel San Souci. 
• Adelita: a Mexican Cinderella Story by Tomie de Paola. 
• Estrellita de oro / Little Gold Star: a Cinderella cuento retold by Joe Hayes and illustrated by Gloria Osuna Perez and Lucia Angela Perez. 
• Little Gold Star: a Spanish-American Cinderella Tale retold by Robert D. San Souci and illustrated by Sergio Martinez. 
• Cendrillon: a Cajun Cindrella by Sheila Hebert Collins and illustrated by Patrick Soper. 
• Cendrillon: a Caribbean Cinderella by Robert D. San Souci and illustrated by Brian Pickney.
• Smoky Mountain Rose: an Appalachian Cinderella by Alan Schroeder and illustrated by Brad Sneed. 
• The Salmon Princess: an Alaskan Cinderella Story by Mindy Dwyer. 

Click here to read the full post for Cinderella Stories from the Old World (includes cover images and descriptions) as well as Fractured Cinderella Stories and Teaching with Cinderella Stories.

For even more great book recommendations, check out the Multicultural Book List, which includes additional topics like folktales, holidays and religion, world issues, and more.

Happy (diverse) reading!